Car Rental in Anchorage to sightsee

[Northern Light]

We will be spending two nights in Anchorage (before flying to Fairbanks to begin our cruisetour) with one full day to explore. We are debating about renting a car for the full day. Is there enough to do to justify renting a vehicle? Should we strike out away from the city? What are absolute must do's. Any hints would be appreciated. :)

[poss]

There's lots and lots of info in the "what to do in Anchorage" posts. Also on Trip Advisor forum for Alaska.

[tetleytea]

We are renting a car from the airport, in May, for $13/day. Then we're headed up to Matanuska Glacier and Hatcher Pass for a day or so. Unbelievably cheap, by Alaskan standards.

[mytime53]

If you decide not to spend all day in Anchorage, there are only 2 ways out of town, and both have awesome scenery. You can drive south around Turnagain Arm, or you can drive north through Palmer towards Matanuska Glacier or the Hatcher Pass area.

[CruiseShelly]

Tetleytea -- may I ask where you got that incredible rate for the car rental?

[abstractcruise]

I would love to get that car rental rate!

 

Tetleytea, please share how you got that rate. I would be

happy with triple that rate!

[greatam]

Tetleytea -- may I ask where you got that incredible rate for the car rental?

 

May is the key and booking VERY early-Priceline, Hotwire, even some of the independent rental companies have very cheap rates before Memorial Day.

 

After Memorial Day-sky is the limit on prices.

 

I am in Alaska (business) at least twice every year. I book my rental cars about a year in advance and get good prices. I have found that anytime after May 30 and booking 3/4 months pre the price is usually about $50.00 per day for a small car. Last minute at the counter-over $100.00 per day, IF there are cars available. Alaska is one of those places where the earlier you book, the better the deal.

[tetleytea]

Yeah, I'm booking mid-May, and booked it a couple weeks ago. The risk, I hear, is that Hatcher Pass and Independence Mine might still be closed off (snow).

[CruiseShelly]

Thanks, Tetleytea. I did some research for some local Anchorage Car Rental Agencies and have it down to $400 for a week. That's this year's price for last week of June leading up to 4th July. We are actually cruising next year, so I will reconfirm all my research in October and see if the rates are lower at that time for next end June.

[jrw]

We will be spending two nights in Anchorage (before flying to Fairbanks to begin our cruisetour) with one full day to explore. We are debating about renting a car for the full day. Is there enough to do to justify renting a vehicle? Should we strike out away from the city? What are absolute must do's. Any hints would be appreciated. :)

 

Here is some info I posted the other day when someone else asked a similar question (they were considering a one-way car rental, just ignore that portion of my response):

 

If you don't want the expense of the one-way rental (I believe only Avis offers this and the availability is often sold-out very early, so plan ahead if you do wish to book one-way car rental), you might consider the AKRR from downtown Anchorage direct to the ship (literally) in Whittier. We did this in Sept, $60pp (for 2009 it's $65pp) and it was wonderful. Just an option you might want to consider. They will take your luggage when you arrive at the station in Anchorage and it is trucked down to the pier, you don't see it again until it's delivered to your cabin. We had a relaxing ride and beautiful views along the way (I spent most of the trip on the observation deck, taking photos). Extremely comfortable seats, too.

 

If you stay somewhere downtown, you wouldn't need a rental car if you book the train to Whittier (book direct with AKRR http://www.akrr.com/arrc18.html#8). Just get a taxi to your hotel (or shuttle, if they do that where you are staying). Note, the train from Anchorage leaves at 10:00AM and arrives Whittier at 12:20PM. There is only one run. If you don't want to leave Anchorage that early, there are also bus options (many mentioned on this board) besides the car rental.

 

You might want to make a dinner reservation ahead of time, since you are getting in somewhat late (by the time you get from airport to lodging). We had a hard time finding a place to eat our first night. Everywhere I called (familiar places from the prior trip and new places suggested on this board) was booked solid. We then made reservations for each night to avoid repeating that mistake. There are lots of great options. Our favorites were (not in any order) Glacier Brewhouse, Orso, Simon & Seafort's, though there are many other options (browse these boards & you'll see many suggestions). These 3 were all walkable from downtown hotels. Here are their links:

 

http://www.glacierbrewhouse.com/

http://www.orsoalaska.com/

http://www.simonandseaforts.com/

 

Native Heritage Center (drive or take shuttle from downtown) http://www.alaskanative.net/en/main_nav/plan_visit/

Zoo (drive; not sure if shuttle goes there?) http://www.alaskazoo.org/planyourvisit.htm

Museum (downtown & Marx Bros. Café inside) http://www.anchoragemuseum.org/visit/visit.aspx

Anchorage Market (open-air market downtown, Saturday & Sunday) http://www.anchoragemarkets.com/main.html

 

In addition to the restaurants I mentioned in prior post, there is also a great place that serves only breakfast & lunch -- Snow City (downtown -- long waits but worth it) http://www.snowcitycafe.com/

[sae019]

Just a quick tip on those cheap rental rates in Anchorage- I used to work for a major rental company in the Anchorage airport and we were completely over sold in the summer. Just make sure that you call the local office directly if you are going to be the slighest bit late or you may end up waiting a long time.